“I didn’t know you were leaving. I got you another one.”

He held it out to her. The music they were playing while the band took a break was just as loud, and she didn’t want to give Grayson reason to try and lean into her if she said anything longer than thank you. So she took it and thanked him.

“You’re really going back to your room?” he asked loudly.

She nodded. “After I take a walk, yes.”

“I was hoping we could talk.”

She wanted to just say flat-out no, but he’d just bought her a drink, and he’d been buying all night. He’d even bought her dad a few. Ella knew the drinks weren’t cheap either. It was the least she could do after he’d set all this up even if he had been sneaky about the whole thing. She did have a few minutes before Felix called.

Motioning to the outer deck that would be less noisy, she nodded. As soon as they were outside where she could definitely hear him and they could talk without her having to yell, he began. “Look, I know I’ve had a little to drink tonight, but what I wanna say to you right now isn’t anything I haven’t been thinking about for a while.” He stopped and took a sip of his beer. “I know you said things are going well between you and Felix, but do you honestly believe it’s gonna last?”

“Don’t start, Grayson,” she said and began to walk. If she’d known this was what he wanted to talk about, she would’ve never agreed.

Grayson walked alongside her. “I’m not trying to make you feel bad, babe—”

“Don’t call me that, please.”

“Okay, Ella. I know better than anyone that you’re good enough to date a big star like him. In fact, I think you’re too good for him, but that’s beside the point.” She shook her head, rolling her eyes. “I just don’t think he’s smart enough to see it, and I’m sincerely worried you’re gonna get hurt.”

“You know nothing about him, Grayson, except what you’ve read.” She continued to walk without looking at him. “Most of the stuff is made up, and he’s explained all the other stuff. Not just made excuses either. He realizes he’s made mistakes and he’s learned from his.” Now she turned to look at him because she wanted to be sure she made this clear. “And I believe him.”

“His rap sheet is not made up, and what about his publicist coming up and staying with him overnight Thursday? Did you know about that?”

“Yes, I did,” she said, and she’d known that would surprise him.

Grayson seemed stunned for a moment but then quickly added. “And you’re okay with that?” He shook his head, looking completely exasperated. “I know I said I was going to respect your choice, but I can’t stand it! You see what he’s doing to you already? It’s rumored they have more than just a business relationship, you know. He’s been seen checking into hotels with her.”

That hit a nerve, just as she knew he’d meant to, but she’d die before she’d let on. Without a flinch, she shrugged. “He’s a huge celebrity. Stories about him sell lots of papers and get big ratings. There are a ton of rumors about him out there. I’ll decide which I believe and which I won’t.” She was getting as irritated by this conversation as he was.

“Ella, babe—” He caught himself and exhaled loudly, confirming he was frustrated. “Be reasonable. You just said it yourself. He’s a huge celebrity. He’ll never settle for one girl. You know this. Are you seriously gonna be one of those girlfriends who turn a blind eye? I’m at a loss here. I really am. This is so not like you. Don’t you see what’s happening? This thing with you is all a game to him—”

“He’s not the one playing games or being deceitful,” she said a bit louder because she was definitely pissed now.

“What does that mean?” he asked, raising his voice as well. “I’ve never played games with you!”

“You really think that I’m buying that your being here wasn’t all planned? That your room being right next to mine was just an incredible coincidence?”

“It wasn’t planned, and the rooms my cousin had were all together. His room is on the other side of mine, but I didn’t plan it that way.”

“Oh please!” Ella stopped to face him because she was ending this discussion right now. She would not let him get to her. “No wonder you think me naïve enough to open my heart to someone like Felix Sanchez without thinking it through first. You really think I’m falling for your bullshit, don’t you? You brought Margie, a single woman my dad’s age who loves the Dodgers just like him, to keep him busy so you could have time alone with me. All this was—”

“Okay, it’s true!”

He threw his glass of beer in the trashcan so hard it shattered loudly and made her cringe. Ella stared at him, stunned, as he brought his hands to his head, pacing in front of her, and ran them roughly through his hair.

“I did plan it, damn it! But not the way you’re thinking. It wasn’t an elaborate scheme I had planned a long time ago. When my cousin told me about still having extra tickets, I mentioned the tickets to Drake. I’d opened up to him before about you and me, and I told him about having gotten you tickets too. He’s the one who suggested I come and use this weekend to try and talk some sense into you. When I told him about your dad coming on the cruise with you too, his wife was the one who came up with the suggestion that they bring her single sister. It really did all just come together at the last minute, but I did it because I’m genuinely worried about you.”